Gaffney High golfer captures region medalist honors

CAYCI RUPPE Gaffney's Cayci Ruppe couldn't have asked for a better way to start the Region II-4A golf tournament on Monday.

Ruppe sank a 60-foot birdie putt from off the green and overcame an early 2-shot deficit to capture the region championship with a 3-under 67 at the Creek Golf Club.

Ruppe, who has verbally committed to the University of South Carolina, had three other birdies on the day. She now advances to the state tournament on Monday at Easley.

Ruppe's best friend, Taylor Weaver of Dorman High School, finished second after edging Ruppe last year.

Ruppe rebounded from a disappointing putting performance at a tournament over the weekend.

"She putted bad at the tournament and she asked for a little advice on her putting," Gaffney golf coach Todd Coggins said. "She putted well (at the region tournament)."

Coggins said he told Ruppe to play more conservatively.

"Instead of making the first putt, I just told her to make pars," he said.

The advice worked - Ruppe had 42 putts at the tournament, but putted just 29 times at the region tournament.

Despite the birdie on the first hole, Ruppe trailed by two shots heading to No. 8. She birdied No. 8 and No. 9 to pull even with Weaver. She then took a 2-shot lead and cruised to the win.

"Cayci is just a grinder," Coggins said. "She just hit the ball solid."

Dorman captured the team championship with a 295. Spartanburg was a distant second. Gaffney High School doesn't field a girls golf team, so Ruppe is a member of the boys team.